VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING

Vocational Education and Training in Schools are programs undertaken by school students as part of the senior secondary certificate that provide credit towards a nationally recognised VET qualification within the Australian Qualifications Framework.
The training that students receive reflects specific industry competency standards and is delivered by a Registered Training Organisation or a school in partnership with a Registered Training Organisation.
Link: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/CareersandTransitions/Vocational
Learning/Pages/VocationalEducationinSchools.aspx

The VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) is a hands-on option for Years 11 and 12 students, offering practical work-related experience and learning.
Like the VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education), VCAL is an accredited secondary certificate.
Students who do the VCAL are likely to be interested in going on to training at TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutes, doing an apprenticeship or traineeship, or getting a job after finishing school.
Link: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vcal/

VCE - Victorian Certificate of Education
The VCE is awarded to students who successfully complete their secondary education. It is recognised internationally, and provides pathways to further study at university, TAFE (Technical and Further Education) and the world of work.
The VCE is usually completed in Years 11 and 12, but can be started in Year 10.
About half of Year 10 students undertake some VCE units.
Link:http://www.education.vic.gov.au/aboutschool/stages/vce.htm

Within the VCE students can undertake vocational education and training (VET); this can be via School Based Apprenticeships -
Link: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vet/programs/newapprent.html or at a training organisation (VCE VET).

VCE can be studied by adults and completed in one year.
For more information, see: Beyond School - Adult VCE Return to Study

HIGHER EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA

The Australian higher education system is seen to make a fundamental contribution to the future of Australia and plays a vital role in Australias intellectual, economic, cultural and social development. The higher education sector educates our future professional workforce, creates future leaders, provides jobs for Australians, drives much of our economic and regional success, and facilitates cultural and trade links with other countries.
The sector plays a key role in the growing knowledge and innovation based economic health of Australia.
Link: http://www.australia.gov.au/Higher_Education

In Australia, the term 'higher education' generally refers to education at degree level and above. In the Australian Qualifications Framework, higher education courses are those leading to the award of associate degree, bachelor's degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master's degree or doctoral degree.
Some courses leading to the award of a diploma or advanced diploma may also be accredited as higher education.

Almost all higher education in Australia is offered by universities. A small but growing number of non-university providers and overseas institutions also offer accredited higher education courses.

Link: http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/higher_education/

Higher Education Review
The Minister for Education, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, released the final report of the Review of Australian Higher Education. The report proposes a comprehensive package of reforms to Australia's tertiary education sector.

The Bradley Review of Higher Education
The long awaited Bradley review of higher education has recommended sweeping changes to the sector at a cost of $6 billion. But that - says Bradley - will only hold us steady.
http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/maralynparker/index.php/
dailytelegraph/comments/the_bradley_review/

Higher Education in Queensland
http://education.qld.gov.au/office/higher-education/

Higher Education in Victoria -
http://www.skills.vic.gov.au/http://www.vic.gov.au/education/
higher-education.html

Higher Education in New South Wales -
https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/aboutus/higheredu/index.htm

Higher Education in Western Australia -
http://www.des.wa.gov.au/pages/higher_ed.php

Higher Education in South Australia-
http://www.dfeest.sa.gov.au/Portals/2/Skins/dfeesthome2/
tabid/134/default.aspx

Higher Education in Northern Territory -
http://www.det.nt.gov.au/education/higher_education/

Higher Education in Tasmania -
http://www.tas.gov.au/tasmaniaonline/Nav/Heading.asp?Topic=Education&Heading=Higher+education

Higher Education in New Zealand -
http://www.minedu.govt.nz/educationSectors/
TertiaryEducation.aspx